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Pets

Pets
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pets. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The pet shop is located in a commercial building in North Point. Photo: Jelly Tse
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Animal welfare groups slam Hong Kong pet shop for offering cat rental service

Pet shop gave clients the chance to rent a cat for a week for HK$800 with a refundable deposit of HK$6,500 before buying.

Pop culture in Asia

Video | Digital ‘Tamagotchi’ pets mark 30 years

Animals

Rare genius dogs learn vocabulary by eavesdropping, study shows

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Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong group saves 351 animals in 6 months as trapping, smuggling cases surge

Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter reports that animal cruelty cases are ‘alarmingly common’ as it calls for stronger action to be taken.

Animal rescuers warn that illegal trapping and pet smuggling are becoming alarmingly common in Hong Kong, with an average of two animals saved daily. Photo: Edmond So
Made in China 2025

Meow or never: China’s pudgy pets spark race for weight-loss drugs

Fosun and Huadong biotech labs eye feline obesity drugs as owners weigh cuteness against health risks.

Trending in China

China woman films dog eating from plate at eatery; shop vows to sue after closure

Owner of ‘awesome’ canine praises animal for emptying dish of mutton rolls; online observers accuse pet-loving diners of a lack of ‘discipline’.

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Singapore

‘Deeply distressing’: Singapore’s animal shelters struggle with costs

Cases of animal cruelty and poor welfare have also surged, with the SPCA reporting 961 confirmed cases last year.

Squinty, a seven-year-old crossbreed housed by SPCA in Singapore, has been diagnosed with stage four kidney disease and requires daily supplements. Photo: Kolette Lim
Trending in China

‘Best travel buddy’: China kitten famous for riding with truck driver owner, holding handrail

Easy-riding feline travel companion called ‘Dumpling’ has catnip for journey; owner even places litter tray near spot where he sits.

China travel

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

While broader consumption remains soft, demand for personalised itineraries and snow sports is growing, offering a boost to the holiday economy.

Trending in China

Chinese man hand-feeds pet snake, suffers serious bite, leads to thumb amputation

Poison from viper infects reptile-loving man severely limiting his blood clotting ability; experts warn that keeping exotic pets can kill.

A man who hand-fed his pet snake suffered a serious bite on the thumb, leading to the amputation of the digit. Photo: Shutterstock/CCTV
Trending in China

China owner of poisoned ‘smiling Shiba Inu’ berated for exploiting canine’s death

Tearful custodian of ‘cute and obedient’ animal with 500,000 online followers posts video of dead pet; is slammed and praised.

The owner of China’s popular “smiling Shiba Inu,” Peppa, who claimed the dog died from poisoning in a village has faced a backlash for exploiting the canine’s death for views. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Hong Kong society

Shorter Hong Kong quarantine time drives rise in pet imports from mainland China

City recorded 291 import applications in first 10 months of the year, up from 283 in 2024 as quarantine time reduced from 120 to 30 days.

Viral stories

Bangkok puppy yoga studio offers comfort and stress relief for US$60 per session

Studio collaborates with local dog shelters and breeders, showcasing breeds such as Samoyeds, golden retrievers, and huskies.

Malaysia

Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.

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A sign outlining Sunway Square Mall’s pet-friendly house rules, and a dog-themed installation at the Selangor shopping complex. The mall has since barred pets from enclosed indoor areas following a backlash online. Photos: Facebook/Sunway Square Mall
Trending in China

China cat survives after trapped in running washing machine, suffers just red nose

Curious feline spends several minutes inside spinning machine before owner notices; online critics accuse her of ‘negligence’.

A pet cat in China has survived being trapped in a running washing machine after its owner started the cycle not knowing it was inside. Photo: Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese woman with social anxiety feeds 120 stray cats with banquet leftovers

Woman has participated in wedding banquets about every 10 days in past 3 years, sometimes bringing home 30kg of untouched leftover food.

The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

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Viral stories

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Friendly feline made regular visits to play with venue guard; staff create calendar bearing photos of their interactions for posterity.

A special bond between a museum security guard in Japan and a black cat, who visited only when the guard was on duty, has caught the public’s attention. Photo: X.com
Animals

When did domestic cats arrive in Europe? Much later than previously thought

Domestic cats may have arrived in Europe 2,000 years ago via Roman trade routes, not with farmers in prehistoric times, a new study says.

Trending in China

Labrador lost on China beach found 1,500km away 3 months later, reunited with owner

‘Lazy’ canine called September wanders off with another dog, is found after exhaustive search; develops more ‘willing’ temperament as result.

Trending in China

China 3-legged puppy, destined to be put down, becomes effective SWAT police dog

Crime-fighting canine forms special emotional bond with his ‘comrade’ handler who also has leg problems; pair share sense of ‘hardship’.

A puppy born with three legs that was recommended for euthanasia by veterinarians has become a specialist police dog in China. Photo: SCMP composite/CCTV
Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

Dog trainer Barbara Gerlinger (centre) holds an empty dog leash while teaching “hobby dogging”, a viral trend of training imaginary dogs, to participants in one of her courses. Photo: dpa
Trending in China

Chinese woman’s pet alpaca dies from cold after groomers fail to dry it properly

Animal from species regarded as ‘pet celebrities’ online is considered adorable and intelligent, was left overnight with damp fur.

Trending in China

Elderly China woman tearfully hugs pet duck killed by car, mourns loss of companion

Many recognise that the duck had become the woman’s emotional anchor and spiritual support.

New Openings

Hong Kong new openings, from new music venue Tides to a pet club in West Kowloon

Italian pasticceria Cova reopens in Pacific Place, a new pickleball venue offers four indoor courts, and pets come first at WestK Pet Club.

WestK Pet Club offers pet-friendly bicycle rentals, among other things. Photo: courtesy West Kowloon Cultural District
South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

Livestreams of pet sales on YouTube. Photo: Youtube
Sustainability

Is your pet’s dinner harming the environment as much as driving a car?

Your pet’s diet harms the planet more than you think – but there are ways to minimise carbon footprint while keeping your cat or dog full.

Crime

Letters | Donkeys slaughtered for their skin is a tragedy on multiple levels

Readers discuss the illicit trade’s damage to animal, human and environmental well-being, and how the city can have both halal and pet-friendly restaurants.

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